Avani Lekhara becomes first Indian woman to win two gold medals at Paralympics

vani Lekhara has once again etched her name in the annals of Indian Paralympic history by successfully defending her women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 title at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. This remarkable achievement has not only solidified her status as one of the country’s most promising athletes but has also made her the first Indian woman to win two gold medals at the Paralympic Games.

The 22-year-old Indian para shooter delivered a flawless performance in the final, scoring an astonishing 249.7 points. This not only secured her the gold medal but also shattered her own Paralympic record of 249.6, which she had set on her Games debut at Tokyo 2020.

Lekhara’s dominance in the final was evident as she consistently outscored her competitors throughout the event. She finished ahead of Republic of Korea’s Lee Yunri, who claimed the silver medal with a score of 246.8, and her compatriot Mona Agarwal, who secured the bronze medal with a final score of 228.7.

The two medals marked India’s first podium finishes at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, and it was the first time the country had achieved a double podium finish in the same event at the Paralympic Games.

Lekhara’s achievement is even more remarkable when considering that she is only the second Indian athlete to win two gold medals at the Paralympic Games. The first was javelin thrower Devendra Jhajharia. With this latest gold, India’s overall gold medal tally at the Paris 2024 Paralympics reached ten.

Prior to the final, Lekhara had already demonstrated her skill and determination by finishing second in the qualifying round with a score of 625.8. Her compatriot Mona Agarwal also qualified for the final, finishing fifth with a total of 623.1.

The SH1 rifle shooting class is designed for athletes with impairments in their legs, such as amputation or paraplegia. In this class, shooters are required to support the weight of the rifle themselves.

Lekhara’s success at the Paris 2024 Paralympics is a testament to her talent, hard work, and dedication. Her achievements have not only brought immense pride to India but have also inspired countless others to pursue their dreams, regardless of their physical limitations.

As Lekhara continues to compete in the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 and the mixed 10m air rifle prone SH1 events at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, the nation eagerly awaits to see what further accomplishments she will achieve.